Tree-based ensemble machine learning models in the prediction of acute respiratory distress syndrome following cardiac surgery: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after cardiac surgery is a severe respiratory complication with high mortality and morbidity. Traditional clinical approaches may lead to under recognition of this heterogeneous syndrome, potentially resulting in diagnosis delay. This study aims to develop and external validate seven machine learning (ML) models, trained on electronic health records data, for predicting ARDS after cardiac surgery.

Effects of inhaled nitric oxide for postoperative hypoxemia in acute type A aortic dissection: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Postoperative hypoxemia in acute type A aortic dissection (AADA) is a common complication and is associated with negative outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of low-dose (5-10 ppm) inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in the management of hypoxemia after AADA surgery.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, Medical records of patients who underwent AADA surgery at two institutions between January 2015 and January 2018 were collected.

Knockdown of GAS5 Inhibits Atherosclerosis Progression via Reducing EZH2-Mediated ABCA1 Transcription in ApoE Mice.

Atherosclerosis is a disorder occurring in the large arteries and the primary cause of heart diseases. Accumulating evidence has implicated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in atherosclerosis. This study aims to clarify the potential effects of lncRNA growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) on cholesterol reverse-transport and intracellular lipid accumulation in atherosclerosis.

Risk factors and short-term prognosis of preoperative renal insufficiency in infective endocarditis.

Background: The incidence of postoperative complications and the in-hospital mortality rate of infective endocarditis (IE) complicated with renal insufficiency are relatively high. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features, etiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment, and prognosis of IE with renal insufficiency and to explore the risk factors for renal damage.

Methods: IE patients undergoing valvular surgery between 2008 and 2017 in two cardiac centers were retrospectively analyzed.

Values of aortic dissection detection risk score combined with ascending aorta diameter >40 mm for the early identification of type A acute aortic dissection.

Background: Type A acute aortic dissection (A-AAD), involving the ascending aorta, is a life-threatening disease. To detect A-AAD early and rapidly in patients with acute chest pain, especially in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) secondary to A-AAD, we investigated values of combined use of the risk score and the ascending aorta diameter >40 mm for the early identification of A-AAD.

Methods: Our study retrospectively encompassed 239 patients with acute chest pain on admission to our hospital between July 2010 and December 2016.

Elevated free fatty acid level is a risk factor for early postoperative hypoxemia after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: association with endothelial activation.

Background: We aimed to investigate the relationship between increased free fatty acid (FFA) level and early postoperative hypoxemia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Ninety-eight consecutive patients undergoing CABG were enrolled. Early postoperative hypoxemia was defined as the lowest of the ratio of arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) to inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) ≤ 200 mm Hg within 24 h without pleural effusion and pneumothorax.

Hyperlipidemia induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation involving Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Hyperlipidemia has been shown to stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Wnt signaling pathway plays a critical role in embryonic development and cell proliferation. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats fed with high-fat or normal diet for 12 weeks were sacrificed, and the thoracic aorta was harvested to determine wnt3a, β-catenin, T-cell factor 4 (TCF4), and cyclin D1 expressions.

Risk factors for endotracheal re-intubation following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Background: Endotracheal re-intubation following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, few reports have focused on the independent risk factors for re-intubation following CABG. This study aimed to evaluate the independent risk factors for re-intubation following CABG.

Overexpression of vasostatin-1 protects hypoxia/reoxygenation injuries in cardiomyocytes-endothelial cells transwell co-culture system.

Vasostatin-1 (VS-1) plays important roles in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We have explored the protective effects of VS-1 on cardiomyocytes using cardiomyocyte-endothelial cells Transwell Co-culture System. Cardiomyocytes and rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were prepared from ventricles and thoraco-abdominal aorta of Sprague-Dawley rats.

Dysfunctional co-expression network analysis of familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder of blood lipid metabolism characterized by high serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and premature coronary artery disease. In this study, we used a system biology approach to identify co-expressed gene pairs that were potentially involved in the progression of FH and constructed a conserved co-expression network using these genes. A total of 4232 co-expressed relationships were identified and we verified the significance by random permutation.

Effect of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is widely used to controlling menopausal symptoms and prevent adverse cardiovascular events. However, the benefit and risk of HRT on cardiovascular outcomes remains controversial.

Methodology And Principal Findings: We systematically searched the PubMed, EmBase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for obtaining relevant literature.

Gene expression analysis in cardiac tissues from infants identifies candidate agents for Tetralogy of Fallot.

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic heart defect and the most common cause of blue baby syndrome. Although great progress has been made, the molecular mechanisms of TOF are far from being fully understood, and treatment of this disease remains palliative. In this study, we downloaded gene expression data of TOF subjects with those of normally developing subjects from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and employed computational bioinformatics analyses to compare their gene expression patterns.

Effect of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on cardiovascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Antioxidant vitamin (vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C) are widely used for preventing major cardiovascular outcomes. However, the effect of antioxidant vitamin on cardiovascular events remains unclear.

Methodology And Principal Findings: We searched PubMed, EmBase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the proceedings of major conferences for relevant literature.

Overexpression of vasostatin-1 protects hypoxia/reoxygenation injuries in cardiomyocytes independent of endothelial cells.

Introduction: Vasostatin-1 (VS-1) has been suggested in protecting hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injuries in isolated hearts. However, the molecular mechanisms remained to be elucidated.

Methods: Cardiomyocytes were treated with recombinant Ad-VS-1 adenoviral vector before H/R.

Clinical results of tricuspid valve replacement - a 21-case report.

Objective: To summarize the clinical experiences of 21 patients treated with tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) and investigate the surgical indications and methods.

Methods: Data from 21 patients who underwent TVR from December 2002 to March 2009 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The mean age was 48.

Early outcomes of isolated coronary artery bypass grafting in Chinese aged patients with diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To compare the early outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in aged diabetic patients, and evaluate the affection of diabetes on the early outcomes of CABG in aged patients.

Methods: The study took place in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated First People's Hospital, Shanghai, China, between January 2000 and July 2008. Five hundred and ninety-three elderly patients (age > or = 70-years-old), undergoing isolated CABG were retrospectively divided into diabetic group and non-diabetic group.

Significance of Jab1 expression in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Goal: The aim of the present study was to examine the expression of Jun activation domain-binding protein 1(Jab1) and p27 and to elucidate its clinicopathologic significance in a larger series of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus.

Background: Reduced expression of p27 has been associated with poor prognosis in most human cancers, including esophageal SCCs. Jab1 is known as a coactivator of AP-1 transcription factor, which contributes to tumor progression by degrading the p27 protein.

A prospective evaluation of apolipoprotein M gene T-778C polymorphism in relation to coronary artery disease in Han Chinese.

Objectives: Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is important for the formation of pre-beta-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and cholesterol efflux in macrophages. It is demonstrated that single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T-778C of apoM gene is related to type 2 diabetes in Han Chinese. In the present study, we investigated the possible association of apoM polymorphism in relation to coronary artery disease (CAD) in Han Chinese.

[Establishment of model human stem cell of transplantation into myocardium of chick embryos].

Objective: To establish an animal model of human stem cell transplantation into myocardium in chick embryos.

Methods: Hoechsst 33,258 labeled human primordial germ cells (hPGC) were microsurgically injected into the myocardium of 633 chick embryos of 3-4 days development. Ten days after, the hearts were isolated from the 94 surviving chick embryos, embedded, and sliced.

[Mechanism of intimal hyperplasia of venous grafts after coronary artery bypass grafting, an experimental study].

Objective: To study the mechanism of intimal hyperplasia after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to find an effective way for preventing intimal hyperplasia.

Methods: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of 12 rabbits: operation group and sham-operation (control) group. The external jugular vein was harvested and anastomosed end-to-side to the ipsilateral carotid artery in operation group or grafted in situ in the control group.